Staffs named for Canada’s National Women’s Program ahead of 2022-23 season
10 coaches included on staffs for three National Women’s Teams
CALGARY, Alta. – The stage is set for Canada’s National Women’s Team, Canada’s National Women’s Development Team and Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team for the 2022-23 season, with 10 coaches set to serve behind the bench, including an all-woman staff for the under-18 team.
Troy Ryan (Spryfield, N.S.) returns for his third year as head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Team, joined by assistant coaches Kori Cheverie (New Glasgow, N.S.), Alison Domenico (Ottawa, Ont./Providence College, HE) and Caroline Ouellette (Montreal, Que./Concordia University, RSEQ), as well as goaltending coach Brad Kirkwood (Calgary, Alta./University of Calgary, CW) and video coach James Emery (Calgary, Alta.).
“We are thrilled to welcome Troy, Kori, Ali, Brad and James back to our National Women’s Team for another season, and to add a high-caliber coach like Caroline to our staff,” said Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, Que.), director of hockey operations with Hockey Canada. “Our women’s program is looking to build off of the momentum we gained last season, and we believe we have assembled a staff that will allow us to do exactly that while benefitting our athletes.”
Ryan most recently led Canada to gold medals at the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship and 2022 Olympic Winter Games. He also earned a silver medal at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, silver at the 2017 IIHF Women’s World Championship and bronze at the 2019 IIHF Women’s World Championship as an assistant coach. He has served as the Atlantic Canada female coach mentor with the Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic since 2016.
Cheverie won gold medals as an assistant coach at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games and 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship. She became the first woman to serve as a coach with one of Canada's national men's teams at the 2022 IIHF U18 World Championship and was also the first woman hired as a full-time assistant coach in U SPORTS, where she was an assistant the Ryerson University men's hockey team for five seasons (2016-21).
Domenico recently finished her first season as associate head coach with the Providence College women’s hockey team following three seasons as an assistant coach. Most recently, she won a gold medal as an assistant coach at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games. She was also named an assistant coach with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team for the 2021-22 season before being added to the Olympic coaching staff.
Ouellette is entering her second season as associate head coach of the women’s hockey team at Concordia University after serving as interim head coach during the 2020-21. On the international stage, she won bronze as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Women’s Team at the 2019 IIHF Women’s World Championship and silver with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team at the 2009 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship. As a player, she won four Olympic gold medals and six world titles with Canada’s National Women’s Team during a 17-year international career.
Canada’s National Women’s Team will gather in Calgary for selection camp from Aug. 2-14 ahead of the 2022 IIHF Women’s World Championship, set for Aug. 24-Sept. 4 in Herning and Frederikshavn, Denmark.
On the under-18 side, Courtney Birchard-Kessel (Mississauga, Ont./Princeton University, ECAC) will make her international head coaching debut with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team. She will be joined by assistant coaches Stefanie McKeough (Carlsbad Springs, Ont./University of Ottawa, OUA) and Tara Watchorn (Newcastle, Ont./Stonehill College, NEWHA), as well as goaltending coach Gord Woodhall (Winnipeg, Man./Winnipeg, MFHL) and video coach Stef Thomson (Oshawa, Ont.).
Birchard-Kessel has been an assistant coach with the Princeton University women’s hockey team for the past three seasons (2019-22). She also won a gold medal as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team at the 2019 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, and has been an assistant with Canada’s National Women’s Development Team twice (2017, 2019).
McKeough recently completed her second season as an assistant coach with the University of Ottawa women’s hockey team (2020-22). She previously served as head coach of Göteborg HC of the Svenka Damhockeyligen (SDHL) in Sweden during the 2020 season after two years (2018-19) as an assistant. As a player, McKeough won a silver medal with Canada at the 2009 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship.
Watchorn is preparing for the first season of women’s hockey at Stonehill College after serving as an assistant coach with Boston College for four seasons (2017-20). She recently won a gold medal as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, and was an assistant with Canada’s National Women’s Development Team for a three-game series against the United States in 2019.
Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team will gather in Calgary from Aug. 2-14 for selection ahead of a three-game series against the United States, Aug. 17-20, as well as the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Sweden.
Cheverie will also take the reigns as head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Development Team, joined by assistant coaches Rachel Flanagan (Pontypool, Ont./University of Guelph, OUA) and Marc-André Côté (Montreal, Que./University of Moncton, AUS), as well as goaltending coach Perry Wilson (LaSalle, Ont./University of Windsor, OUA) and video coach Richard Bue (Ottawa, Ont.).
Flanagan is entering her 16th season as head coach of the University of Guelph women’s hockey team, where she helped secure the team’s first-ever national championship in 2019. She has also captured five Ontario University Athletics (OUA) titles, has been named the OUA Coach of the Year on five occasions, has served as assistant coach of Canada’s National Women’s Development Team twice (2011, 2012) and was named a BFL Female Coach of the Year in 2021.
Côté recently served as head coach of the University of Moncton women’s hockey team for two seasons (2018-20) after spending the previous five seasons (2013-18) as an assistant coach, where he won an Atlantic University Sport (AUS) championship. He also served as a camp coach at Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team selection camp in 2022.
Canada’s National Women’s Development Team will join Canada’s National Women’s Team for selection camp in Calgary from Aug. 2-14 and will compete in a three-game series against the United States from Aug. 17-20.
“This is an exciting time for Canada’s National Women’s Program as we welcome a staff of experienced coaches that have been involved at many levels of our program to lead our National Women’s Under-18 Team and National Women’s Development Team this season,” Kingsbury said. “It is also exciting to have all three of our national women’s teams in Calgary to kick off a new hockey season, and we look forward to welcoming our athletes and assembling teams for multiple events this summer.”
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
National Women's Development Team Roster Named for Women's Euro Hockey Tour
23 players to compete for Canada in tournament for first time in December
CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the 23 players who will wear the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Women’s Development Team as part of the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour, Dec. 11-15 in Tampere, Finland. Three goaltenders, seven defence and 13 forwards were selected by Cherie Piper (Scarborough, ON), senior manager of scouting and player development, in consultation with head coach Alison Domenico (Ottawa, ON/University of Ottawa, OUA), as well as assistant coaches Rachel Flanagan (Pontypool, ON/Toronto, PWHL) and Tara Watchorn (Newcastle, ON/Boston University, HE), and goaltending consultant Katie Greenway (Guelph, ON/University of Guelph). “The 23 players that will represent Canada are a testament to the depth we have within our program and our ongoing effort to continue developing our athletes at all levels,” Piper said. “The Women’s Euro Hockey Tour will give our staff a unique opportunity to assess our development athletes in international competition, and we look forward to watching these players compete in Finland and evaluating player growth this season.” The roster includes eight players who captured gold at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Madison, Wisconsin (Adam, Amos, Baxter, Henderson, Law, MacLeod, Murphy, Swiderski), as well as seven players who won gold at the 2023 U18 Women’s Worlds in Östersund, Sweden (Amos, Baxter, Kraemer, Law, Murphy, Pais, Venusio) and three players (Kraemer, Murdoch, Venusio) who won bronze at the 2024 edition of the tournament in Zug, Switzerland. The six-team tournament features Canada in Group B with Czechia and Sweden, while Group A includes Finland, Switzerland and the United States. Canada will open the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour against Sweden on Dec. 11 at 8 a.m. ET/5 a.m. PT and will take on Czechia to wrap up the preliminary round on Dec. 12 at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT. “The Women’s Euro Hockey Tour is a fantastic opportunity for our National Women’s Development Team to gain valuable experience on the international stage,” said Dylan Rockwell (Calgary, AB), senior manager of hockey operations. “This tournament will be an important step in the development and assessment of our athletes for the future of Team Canada looking ahead to the Olympic quadrennials in 2030 and 2034.” Canada’s National Women’s Development Team will participate in the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour for the first time. With joint commitment from Czechia, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland, the December stop on the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour will feature Canada and the United States annually through 2028, aside from the 2026 Olympic year. For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Development Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
Rivalry Series Preview: Canada vs. United States
Sunday, November 10 | 5 p.m. MT | Boise, Idaho | Game 3
GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (NOV. 10)
The U.S. leg of the Rivalry Series comes to a close Sunday in Boise as Canada’s National Women's Team looks to take a lead in the series back to Canada ahead of the February finale.
Last Meeting & Last Game
Canada evened up the series with a wild 5-4 shootout win on Friday night in West Valley City, Utah. Laura Stacey scored twice in regulation, but the Canadians gave back a three-goal lead in the third period and needed heroics from 17-year-old Chloe Primerano, who scored as nice as shootout goal as you’re going to see to clinch the victory in the fifth round.
What to Watch
It’s becoming increasingly more obvious – Stacey loves the spotlight. The Kleinburg, Ontario, product potted a pair of goals in Game 2, continuing her trend of showing up for big games. Beginning with the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, Stacey has recorded 27 points (14-13—27) in 44 games at the Olympics, Women’s Worlds or Rivalry Series; that’s almost two-thirds of her career scoring total in almost half of her career games (she has 44 points in 98 games). The veteran line with Stacey alongside Blayre Turnbull and Emily Clark has been a steadying force for the Canadians, chipping in three of the six regulation-time goals through the first two games.
It will be a homecoming Sunday night for Hilary Knight; the American captain will play in her home state for the first time – Boise is three hours west of her hometown of Sun Valley. Knight continues to produce at 35 years old – she scored twice in the final six minutes on Friday to help the U.S. erase a late three-goal deficit and force overtime, and has eight points (4-4—8) in eight Rivalry Series games across the last two seasons. The future Hall of Famer is closing in on 300 points in her Team USA career (she’s currently at 276) and owns a handful of Women’s Worlds records, including most medals (14), goals (65) and points (111).
Milestone Watch
After scoring a shorthanded goal on Friday night, Marie-Philip Poulin needs just one point to pass Hockey Hall of Fame forward Danielle Goyette for fourth place in all-time National Women’s Team scoring (219 points).
Brianne Jenner is just two goals away from 50 for her Team Canada career, which would make her the 14th player to reach that mark, while Stacey and Sarah Nurse will both play the 99th game of their international careers as they inch closer to the 100-game plateau.
A Look Back
Idaho becomes the 19th different state to host the Canada-United States rivalry, with the Canadians holding a 35-29-1 edge in games played south of the border.
If history tells us anything, overtime is a distinct possibility; of the 65 games to be played on U.S. ice since 1994, 16 have required extra time, including seven of the last 15. The first to go past 60 minutes was the gold medal game at the 1995 Pacific Rim Championship, a 2-1 Canadian shootout win, and Caroline Ouellette was the first to score an overtime winner for Canada, in the gold medal game at the 2012 Women’s Worlds.
All-time record: Canada leads 106-80-1 (25-20 in OT/SO) Canada goals: 521 United States goals: 461
Rivalry Series Preview: Canada vs. United States
Friday, November 8 | 7 p.m. MT | West Valley City, Utah | Game 2
GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (NOV. 8)
It’s right back to work in the Rivalry Series for Canada’s National Women's Team, which looks to bounce back from an opening-game loss when it takes on the United States in the Salt Lake City suburb of West Valley City on Friday night.
Last Meeting & Last Game
Canada opened the series with a 7-2 loss to the U.S. on Wednesday night in San Jose, California. Blayre Turnbull and Sarah Nurse scored 92 seconds apart late in the second period to provide the Canadian offence, but a five-goal first period for the Americans proved to be the difference. Ann-Renée Desbiens was solid in relief of starter Kristen Campbell, turning aside 12 of 14 shots over the final 40 minutes.
What to Watch
Daryl Watts took a rather unique route to her Team Canada debut in San Jose. After winning a pair of silver medals at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in 2016 and 2017, the Toronto native embarked on a historic college career, becoming the first freshman to win the Patty Kazmaier Award as NCAA player of the year with Boston College in 2018 and winning a national title with the University of Wisconsin in 2021. She signed a record-breaking contract with the Toronto Six in January 2023 and won the PHF championship a few months later before she heard her name called by Ottawa in the inaugural PWHL Draft, leading the team in goals before signing with the Toronto Sceptres. Now she can call herself a National Women’s Team alumna.
Laila Edwards was the MVP of the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship on home ice in Utica, scoring a tournament-leading six goals in seven games. She also took home the Bob Allen Women’s Player of the Year Award from USA Hockey. But a new season means a new challenge, and Edwards has made the move from forward to defence – she lined up alongside veteran Megan Keller on the Americans’ top pairing in the series opener on Wednesday night. She didn’t look out of place (she had played on the blue line in minor hockey and high school), recording a pair of assists in the win.
Milestone Watch
Marie-Philip Poulin needs just one point to tie Hockey Hall of Fame forward Danielle Goyette for fourth place in all-time National Women’s Team scoring (218 points).
Brianne Jenner is just two goals away from 50 for her Team Canada career, which would make her the 14th player to reach that mark, while Sarah Nurse and Laura Stacey will both play the 98th game of their international careers as they inch closer to the 100-game plateau.
A Look Back
There’s plenty of history attached to this one. The Maverik Center was formerly known as the E Center, and was the site of the hockey tournaments at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
Canadian hockey fans know how the women’s tournament ended – on Feb. 21, 2002, Jayna Hefford scored the winner in the dying seconds of the second period and Canada edged the U.S. 3-2 to win their first-ever Olympic gold medal.
All-time record: Canada leads 105-80-1 (24-20 in OT/SO) Canada goals: 516 United States goals: 457
Rivalry Series Preview: Canada vs. United States
Wednesday, November 6 | 7 p.m. PT | San Jose, California | Game 1
GAME NOTES: CANADA VS. UNITED STATES (NOV. 6)
Canada’s National Women's Team gets a new season underway Wednesday night against a very familiar foe as the 2024-25 edition of the Rivalry Series begins in northern California.
Last Meeting & Last Game
The cross-border rivals last met April 14 in Utica, New York, in the gold medal game at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship. Needing overtime after a wild third period that saw the Canadians and Americans combine for four goals in six minutes, Danielle Serdachny was the heroine, knocking in an Erin Ambrose rebound 5:19 into the extra period to give Canada a 6-5 win and a 13th world title. Ambrose finished with a goal and an assist, while Marie-Philip Poulin lived up to her Captain Clutch moniker once again with a pair of goals.
The Rivalry Series finale went Feb. 11 in St. Paul, Minnesota, with Canada – for the second year in a row – completing a reverse sweep. Natalie Spooner and Emma Maltais scored a pair of goals each (and both added an assist), Sarah Nurse added three helpers and the Canadians romped to a 6-1 victory in Game 7, clinching a fourth-straight win and a series triumph.
What to Watch
All eyes on Chloe Primerano. The 17-year-old defender – who passed Ambrose to became the highest-scoring blue-liner in National Women’s Under-18 Team history in the summer series against the U.S. and appears set to lead Canada into the 2025 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in January – will become the second-youngest defender to play for Canada’s National Women’s Team, just two weeks older than Cheryl Pounder was at the 1994 Women’s Worlds. The North Vancouver, B.C., native has been terrific as a freshman at the University of Minnesota, posting six points (1-5—6) in 10 games for the third-ranked Golden Gophers.
The Americans are bringing a decidedly younger roster to San Jose than Canada, with 10 of the 27 players plying their trade in college hockey this season. Leading that group is University of Wisconsin fifth-year senior Casey O’Brien, who is atop the NCAA with 26 points (7-19—26) in 12 games for the undefeated and No. 1-ranked Badgers. O’Brien, who made her national team debut during last year’s Rivalry Series, wasn’t among the first group of players named to the U.S. roster in early October, but played her way onto the team with her red-hot start.
Milestone Watch
Poulin needs just one point to tie Hockey Hall of Fame forward Danielle Goyette for fourth place in all-time National Women’s Team scoring (218 points).
Brianne Jenner is just two goals away from 50 for her Team Canada career, which would make her the 14th player to reach that mark, while Nurse will play the 97th game of her international career as she inches closer to the 100-game plateau.
A Look Back
It’s the 186th meeting between Canada and the United States, dating back to 1990.
The head-to-head history favours the Canadians, but the Americans have a narrow advantage in San Jose, winning three of five. Canada got the ‘W’ the last time the teams met at the Shark Tank, scoring a 3-1 victory as part of a pre-Olympic series in December 2017 thanks to goals from Nurse, Poulin and Haley Irwin.
All-time record: Canada leads 105-79-1 (24-20 in OT/SO) Canada goals: 514 United States goals: 450
National Women’s Team roster unveiled for first leg of Rivalry Series
Team Canada to face United States starting Nov. 6 in San Jose, California
CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the 25 players who will wear the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Women’s Team for the first three games of the 2024-25 Rivalry Series, starting Nov. 6 in San Jose, California.
Three goaltenders, eight defence and 14 forwards were selected by general manager Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, QC/Toronto, PWHL), head coach Troy Ryan (Spryfield, NS/Toronto, PWHL) and Cherie Piper (Scarborough, ON), senior manager of player development and scouting. Assistant coaches Kori Cheverie (New Glasgow, NS/Montréal, PWHL), Caroline Ouellette (Montréal, QC/Concordia University, RSEQ) and Britni Smith (Port Perry, ON/Syracuse University, CHA), along with goaltending consultant Brad Kirkwood (Calgary, AB/Toronto, PWHL), also provided input.
“The 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship is only six months away, and getting a look at our team and roster depth begins with these first three games,” said Kingsbury. “These teams know each other very well, but we still have an opportunity to build on what we worked on at September camp as we evaluate ourselves now and throughout the season.”
The roster includes 21 players who helped Canada win its 13th gold medal at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship (Ambrose, Bell, Bourbonnais, Campbell, Clark, Desbiens, Fast, Fillier, J. Gosling, Jenner, Larocque, Maltais, Maschmeyer, Nurse, O’Neill, Poulin, Rattray, Serdachny, Shelton, Stacey, Turnbull).
Chloe Primerano (North Vancouver, BC/University of Minnesota, WCHA) and Daryl Watts (Toronto, ON/Toronto, PWHL) will also make their National Women’s Team debuts in the cross-border competition.
Atlantic Canada will be the backdrop for the final two games of the series next February. The first stop will take place at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, home of the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. AT. The teams will then travel to Summerside, P.E.I., to play at Credit Union Place, home of the Summerside Western Capitals of the Maritime Hockey League (MHL), on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. AT.
Hockey Canada, in partnership with its 13 Members, will announce grassroots initiatives for both Canadian stops, ensuring Canada’s National Women’s Team engages with the community and leaves a lasting legacy with the next generation.
TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast all five games in the series; check local listings for details.
Canada has won the Rivalry Series in back-to-back seasons, winning the final four games in 2023 and 2024 to secure victory in seven games. Since the start of the Rivalry Series during the 2018-19 season, Canada holds a 15-13 advantage over the Americans.
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
48 players invited to Canada’s National Women’s Team September Camp, presented by BFL CANADA
21 world champions among group of players to begin 2024-25 season in Thorold
CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has invited 48 of the nation’s best players to Canada’s National Women’s Team September Camp, presented by BFL CANADA, Sept. 9-15 at Canada Games Park in Thorold, Ontario.
Six goaltenders, 16 defence and 26 forwards were selected by general manager Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, QC/Toronto, PWHL), senior manager of player development and scouting Cherie Piper (Scarborough, ON) and head coach Troy Ryan (Spryfield, NS/Toronto, PWHL). Assistant coaches Kori Cheverie (New Glasgow, NS/Montréal, PWHL), Caroline Ouellette (Montréal, QC/Concordia University, RSEQ) and Britni Smith (Port Perry, ON/Syracuse University, CHA), and goaltending consultant Brad Kirkwood (Calgary, AB/Toronto, PWHL) also provided input on player selections.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to evaluate the depth of talent in our player pool and set the tone for the upcoming season,” said Kingsbury. “We will also continue to grow and build on our identity as a team as we prepare for the Rivalry Series and ultimately the IIHF Women’s World Championship next April in Czechia.”
The roster includes 21 players who helped Canada capture its 13th gold medal at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship (Ambrose, Bell, Bourbonnais, Campbell, Clark, Desbiens, Fast, Fillier, J. Gosling, N. Gosling, Jenner, Larocque, Maltais, Nurse, O’Neill, Poulin, Rattray, Serdachny, Shelton, Stacey, Turnbull).
It also includes seven players attending their first camp with Canada’s National Women’s Team (Amos, Cooper, Kraemer, Pais, Primerano, Watts, Woods).
The players will be split into Red and White teams for practices, fitness testing and a pair of intrasquad games. Brock University will be hosting the Red-White intrasquad games on Sept. 12 and 14 at Canada Games Park. Click here to purchase tickets. Media wishing to attend camp must apply for accreditation HERE.
Hockey Canada also announced the support staff that will work with Canada’s National Women’s Team for the 2024-25 season:
- Video coach Andrew Boucher (Timmins, ON)
- Strength and conditioning coach Vicki Bendus (Wasaga Beach, ON/Montréal, PWHL)
- Equipment managers Alana Goulden (Aurora, ON/Toronto, PWHL) and Blair Smook (Airdrie, AB)
- Team physician Laura Bennion (Vancouver, BC)
- Therapists Christine Atkins (Fort Macleod, AB) and Danielle McNally (Wolfville, NS)
- Massage therapist Meagan Cowell (London, ON)
- Mental performance consultant Sommer Christie (Montréal, QC)
- Senior hockey operations manager Dylan Rockwell (Calgary, AB)
- Hockey operations manager Savannah Newton (Halifax, NS)
- Hockey operations coordinator Cassidy Wait (North Vancouver, BC)
- Media relations manager Esther Madziya (Lethbridge, AB)
For a complete list of camp support staff, please click here.
Following September camp, players will prepare for the season with their PWHL and college teams before a roster is named for the first international competition of the season, the 2024-25 Rivalry Series starting Nov. 6 in San Jose, California.
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.
National Women's Under-18 Team named for series vs. United States
Team Canada to face U.S. in three-game series, Aug. 14-17 in Thorold, ON
THOROLD, Ontario – Hockey Canada has announced the roster for Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team for a three-game series against the United States, Aug. 14-17 at Canada Games Park. Twenty-three players – three goaltenders, seven defence and 13 forwards – will wear the Maple Leaf. The roster includes five players (Cimeroni, Grenier, Manness, Primerano, Zablocki) who captured a bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Zug, Switzerland. The team was selected by Dylan Rockwell (Calgary, AB), senior manager of hockey operations, and Cherie Piper (Scarborough, ON), senior manager of scouting and player development. Head coach Vicky Sunohara (Scarborough, ON/University of Toronto, OUA), assistant coaches Marc-André Côté (Montreal, QC/University of Moncton, AUS) and Stefanie McKeough (Carlsbad Springs, ON/Boston, PWHL), and goaltending coach Sheldon Goertzen (Saskatoon, SK/University of Saskatchewan, CW) also provided input. “We have an incredibly promising group set to face off against the United States,” said Sunohara. “These players know our goal is to improve every day and we have been able to see the progress through selection camp. The series provides an excellent opportunity to develop our players and prepare them for more international competition later in the season.” Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team and Canada’s National Women’s Development Team will face the United States on Aug. 14, Aug. 15 and Aug. 17. All U18 games will begin at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT, while the development games will start at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT. For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Rosters set for National Women's Under-18 Team selection camp and National Women's Development Team series vs. U.S.
U18 selection camp, presented by BFL CANADA, set for Aug. 5-11 in Thorold, ON
CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the rosters for Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team selection camp, presented by BFL CANADA, and Canada’s National Women’s Development Team for its three-game series against the United States. Forty-six players – six goaltenders, 14 defence and 26 forwards – have been invited to U18 selection camp, scheduled for Aug. 5-11 at Canada Games Park in Thorold, Ontario. The roster includes five players (Cimeroni, Grenier, S. Manness, Primerano, Zablocki) who captured a bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Zug, Switzerland. The week-long camp will feature on- and off-ice training sessions and practices, as well as three Red-White games on Aug. 7-10. Once selected, Team Canada will play a three-game series against the United States, Aug. 14-17 at Canada Games Park. “The selection camp is a crucial step as it serves as the first step in our program for this group of talented athletes. Our coaches and support staff are eager to begin guiding and developing these players,” said Vicky Sunohara (Scarborough, ON/University of Toronto, OUA), head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team. “We anticipate a high-level of competition during the camp as the players compete to earn a spot to represent Canada on the international stage during the series and beyond.” Twenty-four players – three goaltenders, eight defence and 13 forwards – have been named to Canada’s National Women’s Development Team for its three-game series against the United States from Aug. 14-17 at Canada Games Park in Thorold. The roster includes 10 players (Adam, Amos, Baxter, Grober, Iginla, MacLeod, Murphy, Pais, Regalado, Swiderski) who won gold at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Madison, Wisconsin, and nine players (Alexander, Amos, Baxter, Graham, Grober, Kraemer, Murphy, Pais, Venusio) who won gold at the 2023 U18 Women’s Worlds in Östersund, Sweden. “We are excited about the highly accomplished athletes that will join us with the development team this year as they return to the international stage against the United States,” said Alison Domenico (Ottawa, ON/University of Ottawa, OUA), head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Development Team. “Our coaching staff is very eager to work with this group, which includes a good mix of returning players as well as some new faces, as we continue their development as athletes in our program.” For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Coaching staffs set for national women’s teams
Vicky Sunohara to lead National Women’s Under-18 Team as head coach, Alison Domenico to take charge of National Women’s Development Team
CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has unveiled the coaching staffs for Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team and Canada’s National Women’s Development Team for the 2024-25 season, including three-game series against the United States in August. Team Canada legend Vicky Sunohara (Scarborough, ON/University of Toronto, OUA) will take the reins as head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team, while Alison Domenico (Ottawa, ON/University of Ottawa, OUA) will lead Canada’s National Women’s Development Team behind the bench. “We’re thrilled about the coaching staffs for the women’s development and under-18 programs that have joined us for the upcoming season,” said Dylan Rockwell (Calgary, AB), senior manager of hockey operations. “These steps in the program require a high-level of commitment from our coaches, who continue to return year after year to guide and develop our athletes. We look forward to the professionalism and skill the coaches will bring in leading our teams on the international stage this year.” Following her role as an assistant coach during the 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons, Sunohara will make her international head coaching debut. She will be joined by assistant coaches Marc-André Côté (Montreal, QC/University of Moncton, AUS) and Stefanie McKeough (Carlsbad Springs, ON/Boston, PWHL), as well as goaltending consultant Sheldon Goertzen (Saskatoon, SK/University of Saskatchewan, CW) and video coach Andrew Boucher (Timmins, ON). Sunohara is entering her 14th season as head coach of the University of Toronto women’s hockey team, winning Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and U SPORTS Coach of the Year honours in three-consecutive seasons (2020-23) and leading the Blues to the U SPORTS national championship tournament in 2022 and 2023. Internationally, she won a gold medal as an assistant coach at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship and bronze at the 2024 tournament. As a player, Sunohara won two Olympic gold medals and seven IIHF World Women’s Championship gold medals, and ranks 10th all-time in National Women’s Team scoring with 119 points (56-63—119) in 164 games. Côté is entering his 13th season with the University of Moncton women’s hockey team, serving the last six seasons as head coach and the previous six as an assistant. He has also served as an assistant coach for a pair of three-game series against the United States, once with Canada’s National Women’s Development Team (2022) and once with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team (2023). As a player, Côté won a gold medal at the 2004 Junior World Cup with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team and bronze at the 2004 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with Quebec. McKeough is entering her second season as an assistant coach with PWHL Boston, taking the role shortly after her appointment as head coach of the University of Ottawa women’s hockey team in 2023. She served as an assistant coach for the Gee-Gees for two seasons (2021-23), as well as head coach of Göteborg HC of the Svenka Damhockeyligen (SDHL) in Sweden during the 2020 season following two years as an assistant. Internationally, she captured a bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship as an assistant coach and a gold medal in 2023. As a player, McKeough won a silver medal with Canada at the 2009 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship. Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team selection camp, presented by BFL CANADA, will take place Aug. 5-10 at Canada Games Park in Thorold, Ontario. Once selected, the team will play a three-game series against the United States, Aug. 14-17 at Canada Games Park. For a full list of staff for Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team and a list of camp support staff, please click here. With Canada’s National Women’s Development Team, Domenico will make her international head coaching debut alongside assistant coaches Rachel Flanagan (Pontypool, ON/University of Guelph, OUA) and Tara Watchorn (Newcastle, ON/Boston University, HE), as well as goaltending consultant Katie Greenway (Guelph, ON) and video coach Jessie Leung (Penticton, BC/Okanagan Hockey Academy, CSSHL). Domenico was recently named head coach of the University of Ottawa women’s hockey team after over a decade as an assistant coach in the NCAA with Ohio State University (2010-11), Syracuse University (2011-18) and Providence College (2018-21). Internationally, she has won gold medals as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Women’s Team at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games and 2022 IIHF Women’s World Championship. As a player, she won gold with Ontario Red at the 2005 National Women’s Under-18 Championship and with Ontario at the 2003 Canada Winter Games. Flanagan is an assistant coach with PWHL Toronto after serving 16 seasons as head coach of the University of Guelph women’s hockey team. During her tenure at Guelph, Flanagan led the Gryphons to a U SPORTS national championship in 2019, in addition to three OUA titles, and has been named the OUA Coach of the Year on five occasions. She previously served as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Women’s Team during the Rivalry Series in 2022-23, has been as an assistant with Canada’s National Women’s Development Team three times (2011, 2012, 2022) and was recognized as a BFL Female Coach of the Year in 2020-21. Watchorn is entering her second season as head coach at Boston University after becoming the first head coach of Stonehill College’s women’s hockey team (2021-23), earning NEWHA Coach of the Year honours in the program’s inaugural season. Prior to joining Stonehill, Watchorn served as an assistant coach with Boston University for four seasons (2017-20). A 2014 Olympic gold medallist as a player, she was named head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team last year, earning a bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship after winning back-to-back gold medals as an assistant coach in 2022 and 2023. Canada’s National Women’s Development Team will gather in Thorold, Ontario, for a three-game series against the United States from Aug. 14-17. For a full list of staff for Canada’s National Women’s Development Team, please click here. For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Rivalry Series schedule announced for 2024-25 season
Five-game series includes Canadian stops in Halifax and Summerside
CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada, in partnership with USA Hockey, has announced the return of the Rivalry Series between Canada’s National Women’s Team and the United States for the 2024-25 season, featuring two stops in Atlantic Canada.
The 2024-25 Rivalry Series will feature five games, with Canada set to play host in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in February. The first Canadian stop will see the cross-border rivals face off at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, home of the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. AT. The teams will then travel to Summerside, P.E.I., to play at Credit Union Place, home of the Summerside Western Capitals of the Maritime Hockey League (MHL), on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. AT.
“We are excited to renew our partnership with USA Hockey to deliver the Rivalry Series, and to provide the best Canadian and American players an opportunity to showcase women’s hockey with games in Halifax and Summerside,” said Hockey Canada president and chief executive officer Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON). “The series has been a must-see event for hockey fans across Canada since 2018, and it has been instrumental in helping to grow the girls’ and women’s game across North America. We look forward to once again treating fans to five great hockey games and leaving a lasting impact and legacy in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island this season.”
“Halifax and Summerside have proven to be successful international hockey hosts, and we know both communities will embrace the opportunity to welcome and cheer on the best players from Canada and the United States as they compete in the Rivalry Series in February 2025,” said D’Arcy Hutcheson (Barrie, ON), director of events with Hockey Canada. “The Rivalry Series has become a fan-favourite event on the international hockey calendar, and the teams will enjoy facing off in front of passionate hockey fans in two great Canadian communities.”
Tickets for the games in Halifax and Summerside will be available for purchase at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets at a later date.
Hockey Canada and its Members will announce grassroots initiatives that will take place leading up to the Rivalry Series games in both Canadian stops in the coming months, ensuring the next generation of the game can engage with Canada’s National Women’s Team.
“The Rivalry Series is a great event for players and fans alike, and I know the impact an event like this can have on young players in communities across the country. I am excited that hockey fans in the Maritimes will have the opportunity to take in two games and cheer on Team Canada next season,” said Team Canada forward Blayre Turnbull (Stellarton, NS/Toronto, PWHL). “Fans on the East Coast always embrace the opportunity to watch Canada compete and we know the atmosphere will be incredible, and it will be even more special for me to have a chance to play in my home province and two incredible communities that are close to my hometown.”
The series will kick off with a trio of games in the United States in November, with the teams opening the series at the Tech CU Arena in San Jose, California, on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. PT. The American portion of the Rivalry Series will also include stops at the Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah, on Friday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. PT and Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho, on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 5 p.m. MT.
TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast all five Rivalry Series games; please check local listings for details.
Last year, the Rivalry Series ended in thrilling fashion for a second-straight year, with Canada’s National Women’s Team winning four-straight games to win the best-of-seven series in seven games. The Canadian games welcomed an average attendance of more than 6,200 fans per game in Kitchener, Sarnia, Saskatoon and Regina, including sell-outs in Kitchener, Sarnia and Regina. Ottawa, Kingston, Kelowna and Trois-Rivières also hosted Rivalry Series games over the past two seasons that featured sold-out crowds.
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook , X and Instagram .
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